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WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

DIVISION 200

WATER SUPPLY WELL
CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
INTRODUCTION, GENERAL STANDARDS AND DEFINITIONS

690-200-0005

Basis for Regulatory Authority

(1) The right to reasonable control of
the ground waters of the State of Oregon has been declared to belong to the public.
Through the provisions of the Ground Water Act of 1955, ORS 537.505 to 537.795,
the Water Resources Commission has been charged with the administration of the rights
of appropriation and use of the ground water resources of the state and the prevention
of waste and contamination of ground water. This is primarily accomplished by the
licensing of well constructors and the promulgation of rules governing well construction,
alteration, abandonment, conversion, maintenance, and use. Ultimately the landowner
of the property where the well is constructed is responsible for the condition,
use, maintenance of setbacks, and abandonment of the well.

(2) The following rules apply
to all wells which are constructed for the purpose of locating or obtaining water
as defined in ORS 537.515(9) with the following exceptions:

(a) The construction, maintenance,
conversion, and abandonment of monitoring wells, geotechnical holes, and other holes
are regulated under OAR 690-240;

(b) Holes constructed under
ORS Chapters 517, 520, 522, and rules promulgated from those statutes, are the responsibility
of the Oregon Department of Geologic and Mineral Industries and are not subject
to these rules. These include, but are not limited to, holes constructed for the
purposes of exploring for, or producing, petroleum, minerals, or geothermal resources;
and

(c) Underground Injection Systems,
which are regulated by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality under OAR
468B.

NOTE: Table 200-1 lists common
subsurface borings and indicates which administrative rule governs the construction,
conversion, maintenance, alteration, and abandonment of the boring. [Table not included.
See ED. NOTE.]

(3) When natural flow of water occurs in
holes not regulated under these rules, the Water Resources Commission may regulate
under separate rules or statutes to protect the ground water from contamination
or waste;

(4) In addition to regulating
new well construction, alteration, abandonment, conversion, and maintenance actions,
the Water Resources Commission may impose conditions upon the use of any existing
water supply well as may be necessary to prevent waste, undue interference with
other wells or contamination. When necessary, the Commission may order discontinuance
of use, repair, temporary, or permanent abandonment of any well to accomplish the
same objectives.

(5) Except for the Commission's
power to adopt rules, the Commission may delegate to the Water Resources Director
the exercise or discharge in the Commission's name of any power, duty or function
of whatever character, vested in or imposed by law upon the Commission. The official
act of the Director acting in the Commission's name and by the Commission's authority
shall be considered to be an official act of the Commission. The Commission delegates
to the Director full authority to act in the Commission's name where that delegation
is reflected in these rules.

(6) Under the provisions of
ORS 537.780, the Commission is authorized to adopt such procedural rules and regulations
as deemed necessary to carry out its function in compliance with the Ground Water
Act of 1955. In fulfillment of these responsibilities and to ensure the preservation
of the public welfare, safety, and health, the Commission has established these
rules and regulations as the minimum standards for the construction, alteration,
conversion, abandonment and maintenance of water supply wells in Oregon.

(7) The rules and regulations
set forth herein shall become effective upon adoption by the Commission.

(1) The rules and regulations set forth herein provide the minimum standards for the construction, conversion, alteration, maintenance, and abandonment of water supply wells. After the effective date of adoption of these rules and regulations, no water supply well shall be constructed, altered, converted, or abandoned contrary to the provisions of these rules and regulations without prior approval from the Water Resources Department. Violation of these standards may result in enforcement under OAR chapter 690, division 225, including suspension or revocation of a constructor's license, imposition of civil penalties on the landowner or constructor, action on a bond, or other sanctions authorized by law.

(2) Every well shall be designed and constructed to adapt to the existing local geologic and ground water conditions at the well site and shall fully utilize every natural protection to the ground water supply. If prior to or during construction the well constructor becomes aware that specific site conditions will not allow adherence to the following minimum well standards, the constructor shall request and obtain written approval from the Director to use alternative construction methods, materials or standards. The request shall be in writing and submitted to the Director as described in OAR 690-200-0021. Special standard approval from the Director must be obtained prior to completion of the well.

(3) Certain wells constructed under these rules may be suitable for use as public, community, municipal, or public utility supplies. Regulations administered by other agencies may apply in addition to those in this chapter (see Appendix 1).

[ED. NOTE: Appendix referenced in this rule are available from the agency.]

(1) Site conditions may require specific design, construction, and abandonment procedures to adapt to the existing local geologic and ground water conditions to fully utilize every natural protection to the state's ground water. Specific site conditions may require different design, construction, setback, or abandonment standards than required by the Water Supply Well construction rules. Alternative technologies or methods not addressed in these rules may also exist which could be effectively utilized in the construction or abandonment of a water supply well. Prior to the completion of the well, a bonded constructor must request and receive approval from the Department to use methods or materials that do not meet the water supply well construction standards. The Department may approve such requests either orally or in writing. If oral approval is granted, the written request must be submitted to the Department within three working days of the date of the oral approval. Failure to submit a written request as described above may void the prior oral approval. The proposed methods or materials shall provide at least the same level of resource protection as that which is provided by these rules.

(2) The written request for special standards shall include:

(a) Name, license number and signature of the bonded well constructor;

(b) Location of the well by county, township, range, section, tax-lot (if assigned) and either the 1/4, 1/4 section or Latitude and Longitude as established by a global positioning system;

(c) Name and address of landowner;

(d) Address of the project/well site;

(e) Type of work;

(f) The distance to the nearest well and septic tank or drainfield;

(g) The reasons(s) that conformance to the rules and regulations for water supply wells cannot be met;

(h) A diagram and written description showing the proposed water supply well design, construction, or abandonment;

(i) A site map showing the relationship of the well to any existing septic systems, if the request is to place a well within the minimum setbacks described in OAR 690-210-0030;

If at any time, the Commission finds that different or supplemental standards are required for the safe development of ground water from any aquifer or area, special area standards for the construction and maintenance of water supply wells within such areas may be adopted as rules by the Commission. In the absence of such special area standards, these rules constitute the sole administrative standards of the Water Resources Department governing construction, conversion, maintenance, alteration, and abandonment of water supply wells.

Restrictions on Water Supply Well Construction and Use in Critical Groundwater Areas or Areas Withdrawn by Commission Order

(1) The use of ground water is restricted in Critical Ground Water Areas or Withdrawal Areas established by Commission Order, under ORS 537.735 and 536.410. Before constructing a water supply well, the constructor shall determine whether the proposed well site is within a Critical Ground Water or Withdrawal Area. (Refer to Figure 200-1.)

(2) If the water supply well is within a Critical Ground Water or Withdrawal Area, the constructor shall contact the watermaster for the county where the water supply well is to be constructed for more information. (Refer to Table 200-2.)

(3) Construction of water supply wells in violation of a critical ground water or withdrawal order are subject to enforcement action as described in OAR chapter 690, division 225.

[ED. NOTE: Tables and Figures referenced are available from the agency.]

(1) Special Area Standards for the Construction and Alteration of Water Supply Wells in the Lakeview Area.

(a) As used in this rule and illustrated in Figure 200-3, "The Lakeview Area" includes the area located in Sections 4, 5, 8 and 9 of Township 39 South, Range 20 East of the Willamette Meridian, Lake County, Oregon. Beginning at a point on the West line of Section 4, said point bears South 1 40’ 45” East - 2245.31 feet from the Northwest Corner of Section 4; thence South 89 54’45” East- 1907.04 feet to the West right of way line of the Fremont Logging Road; thence South 39 26’ 40” East along the West right of way line of the Fremont Logging Road - 3095.16 feet; thence South 1 53’ 14” East - 617.32 feet to the South line of Section 4; thence continuing in Section 9 - South 00 13’ 8” West parallel to the North South centerline of Section 9 - 2649.14 feet to the East West centerline of Section 9; thence South 89 45’ 31” West along the East West centerline of Section 9 - 3782.55 feet more or less to the West line of Section 9; thence West along the East West centerline of Section 8 - 1320.00 feet more or less to the center East 1/16 corner of Section 8; thence North 2640.00 feet more or less to the East 1/16 corner common to Sections 5 and 8; thence North 1 41’ 33” West - 2630.48 feet more or less to the center East 1/16 corner of Section 5; thence North 1 40’ 45” West - 410.32 feet; thence South 59 54’ 45” East - 1307.02 feet more or less to the point of beginning.

(b) Any new, altered, deepened or converted well in the sedimentary units (clay, sand, silt, gravel) in the Lakeview Area shall be cased and sealed according to OAR 690, Division 210 with the following additional requirements:

(A) Unperforated casing and seal shall extend from land surface to a depth of 250 feet below land surface; and

(B) Perforated casing may extend below the seal.

(c) Liner installed in any new, altered, deepened or converted well in the sedimentary units (clay, sand, silt, gravel) in the Lakeview Area shall not extend more than 10 feet above the bottom of the unperforated casing.

(d) Alternatives to the special area standards shall be approved only if it can be demonstrated that the alternative techniques proposed to be used are as effective as the techniques required in subsection (1)(b) and (1)(c) above. Such alternatives require prior written approval by the Department and follow-up testing as may be required by the Department.

(e) Except as they may conflict with subsection (1)(b) and (1)(c), all other provisions of Oregon Administrative Rules for Well Construction and Maintenance Standards apply.

(f) This rule is applicable to wells for which construction, alteration, deepening or conversion began on or after April 1, 2004.

(g) This special area standard may be revised at a future date when additional information and analysis is provided from other agencies including the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

(2) Special Area Standards for the Construction, Conversion and Maintenance of Water Supply Wells for the “Petes Mountain Area”, Clackamas County.

(b) All new, altered, deepened or converted wells constructed in the Petes Mountain Area shall be cased and sealed in accordance with OAR 690, division 210 with the following additional requirements:

(A) All new wells shall have a nominal minimum well casing diameter of at least 6 inches.

(B) All wells shall have a minimum 3/4-inch diameter dedicated measuring tube installed at the time of pump installation, pump repair or pump replacement (See Figure 200-5 and OAR 690-215-0200).

(C) Alternatives to the special area standards shall be approved only if it can be demonstrated that the alternative techniques proposed to be used are as effective as the techniques required in subsection (2)(b) above. Such alternatives require prior written approval by the Department. In addition, follow-up testing may be required by the Department to insure the effectiveness of the alternative technique.

(D) Except as they may conflict with subsection (2)(b), all other provisions of Oregon Administrative Rules for Well Construction and Maintenance Standards apply.

(E) This rule is applicable to wells for which pump installation, repair or replacement began on or after July 1, 2008.

(F) This special area standard may be revised at a future date when additional information and analysis is provided from other agencies including the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

(3) Special Area Standards for the Construction, Conversion and Maintenance of Water Supply Wells for the “Eola Hills Ground Water Limited Area ,” Polk and Yamhill Counties.

(a) As used in this rule and illustrated in Figure 200-7, “The Eola Hills Ground Water Limited Area” includes all or portions of Sections 4 through 9, 16 through 21, and 29 through 32, Township 6 South, Range 3 West, Willamette Meridian; Sections 3 through 10, 15 through 22, 28, 29 and 30, Township 7 South, Range 3 West, Willamette Meridian; Sections 1 through 5, 8 through 17, 20 through 29, and 32 through 36, Township 6 South, Range 4 West, Willamette Meridian; and Sections 1 through 30, Township 7 South, Range 4 West, Willamette Meridian. The boundary of the Eola Hills area is as follows: Beginning at the intersection of the south line of Township 5 South and U.S. Highway 99W, thence east along the township line to the Willamette River, thence southerly to Oregon State Highway 22, thence westerly to U.S. Highway 99W, thence northerly along Hwy 99W to the point of beginning.

(b) All new, altered, deepened or converted wells constructed in the Eola Hills Ground Water Limited Area shall be cased and sealed in accordance with OAR 690, division 210 with the following additional requirements:

(A) All new wells shall have a nominal minimum well casing diameter of at least 6 inches.

(B) All wells, in all aquifers, shall have a minimum 3/4-inch diameter dedicated measuring tube installed at the time of pump installation, pump repair or pump replacement (See Figure 200-5 and OAR 690-215-0200).

(C) All new and deepened wells developing water from basalt in the Eola Hills Ground Water Limited Area shall be limited to one aquifer and shall be continuously cased and continuously sealed to within 100 feet of the bottom of the hole.

(c) Alternatives to the special area standards shall be approved only if it can be demonstrated that the alternative techniques proposed to be used are as effective as the techniques required in subsection (3)(b) above. Such alternatives require prior written approval by the Department. In addition, follow-up testing may be required by the Department to insure the effectiveness of the alternative technique.

(d) Except as they may conflict with subsection (3)(b), all other provisions of Oregon Administrative Rules for Well Construction and Maintenance Standards apply.

(e) This rule is applicable to wells for which pump installation, repair or replacement began on or after July 1, 2008.

Organic materials which foster or promote undesired organic growth or have the potential to degrade water quality shall not be employed in the construction of a water supply well. This includes, but is not limited to, brans, hulls, grains, starches, and proteins.

(1) Within 30 days of completion of well construction, conversion, or alteration, the constructor shall permanently affix a well identification label to the wellhead as described in Appendix 200-2. The identification number shall be recorded on the well report. The well identification label shall be attached in such a manner as to be easily readable upon inspection. Identification labels shall be furnished by the Department.

(2) If a well identification label is already affixed to an existing well that is being altered, converted, or abandoned, the constructor shall record the identification number on the well report.

(3) When a well that has a well identification label (tag) on it is permanently abandoned, the well identification tag shall be destroyed. The well identification tag shall not be reused.

[ED. NOTE: Appendix referenced in this rule are available from the agency.]

The Water Resources Commission uses the definitions of the words listed below in the administration and enforcement of Oregon's Ground Water Law and the Rules and Regulations for the Construction and Alteration of Wells. No other definitions of these same words apply:

(1) "Abandonment, Permanent" means to remove a well from service by completely filling it in such a manner that vertical movement of water within the well bore and within the annular space surrounding the well casing, is effectively and permanently prevented. If a portion of a well is to be abandoned in order to prevent commingling, waste, or loss of artesian pressure, the abandonment shall conform with the requirements of OAR chapter 690, division 220 for water supply wells. This term is synonymous with "decommission."

(2) "Abandonment, Temporary" means to remove a drilling machine from a well site after completing or altering a well provided the well is not immediately put into service, or to remove a well from service with the intent of using it in the future.

(3) "Access Port" means a minimum 1/2-inch tapped hole and plug, a 1/2-inch capped pipe welded onto the casing in the upper portion of a water supply well, or a dedicated measuring tube to permit unobstructed entry to determine the water level in the well at any time.

(4) "Air Gap" means a complete physical break between the outlet end of the discharge pipe or other conduit and the discharged substance. The break shall be at least twice the inside diameter of the pipe or conduit. (Back-siphon prevention)

(5) "Airline" means a water level measuring device consisting of a pressure gauge attached to an airtight line or pipe of known length, within the water supply well bore, extending from land surface to below the pumping level. The device will allow the water level to be computed by measuring the stable air pressure remaining in the line after completely purging water from within the line.

(7) "Altering a Well" means the deepening, hydrofracturing, re-casing, perforating, re-perforating, installation of packers or seals, and any other material change in the design or construction of a well. Material changes include but are not limited to casing installation or modification including casing extensions, installation or modification of liner pipe, reaming or under reaming of the borehole, pitless unit installation or re-sealing except for re-sealing performed during pitless adapter installation.

(8) "Annular Space" means the space between the drillhole wall and the outer well casing.

(9) "Aquifer" means a geologic formation, group of formations, or part of a formation that contains saturated and permeable material capable of transmitting water in sufficient quantity to supply wells or springs and that contains water that is similar throughout in characteristics such as potentiometric head, chemistry, and temperature (see Figure 200-2).

(10) "Artesian Aquifer" means a confined aquifer in which ground water is under sufficient head to rise above the level at which it was first encountered, whether or not the water flows at land surface. If the water level stands above land surface, the well is a flowing artesian well (see Figure 200-2).

(11) "Artesian Water Supply Well" means a water supply well in which ground water is under sufficient pressure to rise above the level at which it was first encountered, whether or not the water flows at land surface. If the water level stands above land surface the well is a flowing artesian water supply well.

(12) "Automatic Low-Pressure Drain" means a self-activating device designed and constructed to intercept incidental leakage and drain that portion of an irrigation pipeline or any other method of conveyance whose contents could potentially enter the water supply when operation of the irrigation system pumping plant fails or is shut down. (Back-siphon prevention)

(13) "Back-Siphon Prevention Device" means a safety device used to prevent water pollution or contamination by preventing flow of a mixture of water and/or chemicals in the opposite direction of that intended. (Back-siphon prevention)

(14) "Bored Well" means a well constructed with the use of earth augers turned either by hand or by power equipment.

(15) "Buried Slab Type Well" means a dug well in which well casing is used to case the upper hole. A slab, sealed with cement grout, is placed between the upper hole and lower drillhole, and the remainder of the annulus is filled with concrete.

(16) "Casing" means the outer tubing, pipe, or conduit, welded or thread coupled, and installed in the borehole during or after drilling to support the sides of the well and prevent caving. Casing can be used, in conjunction with proper seal placement, to shut off water, gas, or contaminated fluids from entering the hole, and to prevent waste of ground water.

(17) "Casing Seal" means the water tight seal established in the well bore between the well casing and the drillhole wall to prevent the inflow and movement of surface water or shallow ground water in the well annulus, or to prevent the outflow or movement of water under artesian or hydrostatic pressures.

(18) "Check Valve" means a certified device designed and constructed to close a water supply pipeline, chemical injection line, or other conduit in a chemigation system to prevent reverse flow in that line. (Back-siphon prevention)

(19) "Chemigation" means the method of applying agricultural chemicals and fertilizer through an irrigation system.

(20) "Clay" means a fine-grained, inorganic material having plastic properties and with a predominant grain size of less than 0.002 mm.

(21) "Commission" means the Oregon Water Resources Commission.

(22) "Committee" means the Oregon Ground Water Advisory Committee created by ORS 536.090.

(23) "Community Well" means a water supply well, whether publicly or privately owned, which serves or is intended to serve more than three connections for residences or other connections for the purpose of supplying water for drinking, culinary, or household uses.

(24) "Confined Animal Feeding or Holding Area" means the concentrated confined feeding or holding of animals or poultry, including but not limited to horse, cattle, sheep, swine, and dairy confinement areas, slaughterhouse or shipping terminal holding pens where the animal waste is allowed to build up on the ground. Pastures and areas adjacent to buildings where animals and animal waste is confined by a physical barrier such as concrete are exempt.

(26) "Consolidated Formation" means materials that have become firm through natural rock-forming processes. It includes, but is not limited to, such materials as basalt, sandstone, shale, hard claystone, and granite.

(27) "Contamination" means an impairment of water quality by chemicals, radionuclides, biologic organisms or other extraneous matter whether or not it affects the potential or intended beneficial use of water.

(28) "Continuing Education" means that education required as a condition of licensure under ORS 537.747, to maintain the skills necessary for the protection of ground water, the health and general welfare of the citizens of Oregon and the competent practice of the construction, alteration, abandonment, conversion, and maintenance of water supply wells, monitoring wells, and geotechnical holes.

(32) "Converting" a well means changing the use of an existing well or hole not previously used to either withdraw or monitor water such that the well or hole can be used to either withdraw or monitor water.

(33) "Deepening a well" means extending the well bore of an existing well through previously undisturbed native material. Deepening is a type of alteration.

(34) "Department" means the Oregon Water Resources Department.

(35) "Director" means the Director of the Department or the Director's authorized representatives.

(36) "Documentation of Completion" means written evidence or documentation demonstrating attendance and completion of a continuing education course, including but not limited to: a certificate of completion, diploma, transcript, certified class roster, or other documentation as approved by the Continuing Education Committee.

(37) "Domestic Well" means a water supply well used to serve no more than three residences for the purpose of supplying water for drinking, culinary, or household uses, and which is not used as a public water supply.

(38) "Drawdown" means the difference in vertical distance between the pumping level and the static water level in a well.

(39) "Drive Point Well" means a well constructed by driving into the ground a well-point fitted to the end of a pipe section or series of pipe sections.

(40) "Dug Well" means a well in which the excavation is made by the use of digging equipment such as backhoes, clam shell buckets, or sand buckets. (See Hand dug well.)

(41) "Excavation" means a free-standing cavity with greater width than depth constructed in the earth's surface which has a primary purpose other than seeking water or water quality monitoring.

(42) "Figure", when used herein, refers to an illustration and is made a part of the primary article and section by reference.

(43) "Filter Pack Well" means a well in which the area immediately surrounding the well screen or perforated pipe within the water-producing zone is filled with graded granular material.

(44) "Geologic Formation" means an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic material that is relatively homogeneous and is sufficiently recognized as to be distinguished from the adjacent material. The term is synonymous with "formation."

(45) "Geologist" means an individual registered by the State of Oregon to practice geology.

(46) "Geotechnical hole" means a hole constructed to collect or evaluate subsurface data or information, monitor movement of landslide features, or to stabilize or dewater landslide features. Geotechnical holes are not monitoring wells or water supply wells as defined below. Various classes and examples of geotechnical holes are listed in OAR 690-240-0035(6)-(9).

(47) "Grout" means approved cement, concrete, or bentonite sealing material used to fill an annular space of a well or to abandon a well.

(48) "Grout Pipe" means a pipe which is used to place grout at the bottom of the sealing interval of a well.

(49) "Hand dug well" means a well in which the excavation is only made by the use of picks, shovels, spades, or other similar hand operated implements. (See Dug Well)

(52) "Hazardous Waste Disposal Site" means a geographical site in which or upon which hazardous waste is disposed.

(53) "Hazardous Waste Storage Site" means the geographical site upon which hazardous waste is stored.

(54) "Hazardous Waste Treatment Site" means the geographical site upon which or a facility in which hazardous waste is treated.

(55) "Health Hazard" means a condition where there are sufficient concentrations of biological, chemical, or physical, including radiological, contaminants in the water that are likely to cause human illness, disorders, or disability. These include but are not limited to, naturally occurring substances, pathogenic viruses, bacteria, parasites, toxic chemicals, and radioactive isotopes. Sufficient concentrations of a contaminant include but are not limited to contaminant levels set by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon Health Division.

(56) "Health Threat" means a condition where there is an impending health hazard. The threat may be posed by, but not limited to: a conduit for contamination, or a well affecting migration of a contaminant plume, or the use of contaminated water. A well in which the construction is not verified by a water supply well report or geophysical techniques may be considered a conduit for contamination in certain circumstances. Those circumstances include, but are not limited to: an unused and neglected well or a well for which no surface seal was required. A well in which the casing seal, sanitary seal, or watertight cap has failed, or was inadequately installed may be considered a conduit for contamination.

(57) "Horizontal Well" means a well that intentionally deviates more than 20 degrees from true vertical at any point.

(58) "Hydrofracturing" means the use of high pressure liquid, sand, packers or other material to open or widen fractures in consolidated formations for the purpose of increasing well yield.

(59) "Hydrologic Cycle" is the general pattern of water movement by evaporation from sea to atmosphere, by precipitation onto land, and by return to sea under influence of gravity.

(60) "Impermeable Sealing Material" means cement, concrete, or bentonite which is used to fill the open annulus between the lower and upper sealing intervals.

(61) "Inspection Port" means an orifice or other viewing device from which the low-pressure drain and check valve may be observed.

(62) "Jetted Well" means a well in which the drillhole excavation is made by the use of a high velocity jet of water.

(63) "Leakage" means movement of surface and/ or subsurface water around the well casing or seal.

(64) "Liner Pipe" means the inner tubing, pipe, or conduit installed inside the well casing or lower well bore. The liner pipe is used to protect against caving formations and is not permanently affixed to the drillhole wall or casing.

(65) "Lower Drillhole" means that part of the well bore extending below the surface seal interval in a well.

(66) "Mineralized Water" means any naturally occurring ground water containing an amount of dissolved chemical constituents limiting the beneficial uses to which the water may be applied.

(67) "Monitoring Well" means a well designed and constructed to determine the physical (including water level), chemical, biological, or radiological properties of ground water.

(68) "Monitoring Well Constructor" means any person who has a current water well constructor's license with a monitoring well endorsement issued in accordance with ORS 537.747(3).

(69) "Monitoring Well Constructor's License" means a Water Well Constructor's License with a monitoring well endorsement issued in accordance with ORS 537.747(3).

(70) "Municipal or Quasi-Municipal Well" means a water supply well owned by a municipality or nonprofit corporation that may be used as a community or public water supply.

(71) "Order" means any action satisfying the definition given in ORS Chapter 183 or any other action so designated in 537.505 to 537.795.

(72) "Other Hole" means a hole other than a water supply well, a monitoring well, or geotechnical hole, however constructed, in naturally occurring or artificially emplaced earth materials, through which ground water can become contaminated. Holes constructed under ORS Chapters 517, 520, and 522 are not subject to these rules. Other holes are regulated under OAR 690-240. Examples of other holes are listed in 690-240-0030.

(73) "Perched Ground Water" means ground water held above the regional or main water table by a less permeable underlying earth or rock material (see Figure 200-2).

(74) "Permeability" means the ability of material to transmit fluid, usually described in units of gallons per day per square foot of cross-section area. It is related to the effectiveness with which pore spaces transmit fluids.

(75) "Person" includes individuals, corporations, associations, firms, partnerships, joint stock companies, public and municipal corporations, political subdivisions, the state and any agencies thereof, and the Federal Government and any agencies thereof.

(76) "Petcock Valve" is a valve used to contain pressure which when opened will drain the line or pipe.

(77) "Piezometer" means a type of monitoring well designed solely to obtain ground water levels. Piezometers are prohibited in areas of known or reasonably suspected contamination. This term is synonymous with "observation well"(See OAR 690-240).

(78) "Pitless Adapterö means a commercially manufactured device designed for attachment to one or more openings through a well casing, which will permit water service pipes to pass through the wall of a well casing or extension thereof and prevent entrance of contaminants into the well or ground water. (Note: Unhydrated bentonite shall be installed at least one and one-half inches thick around the casing in any disturbed seal interval during pitless adapter installation).

(79) "Pitless Unit" means a commercially manufactured assembly which extends the upper end of the well casing to above grade, constructed and installed so as to prevent the entrance of contaminants into the well and to protect the ground water supply, conduct water from the well, and provide full access to the well and water system parts therein. (Note: Unhydrated bentonite shall be installed at least one and one-half inches thick around the casing in any disturbed seal interval during pitless unit installation).

(80) "Porosity" means the ratio of the volume of voids in the geologic formation being drilled to the overall volume of the material without regard to size, shape, interconnection, or arrangement of openings.

(81) "Potable Water" means water which is sufficiently free from biological, chemical, physical, or radiological impurities so that users thereof will not be exposed to or threatened with exposure to disease or harmful physiological effects.

(82) "Potentiometric Surface" means the level to which water will rise in tightly cased artesian wells (see Figure 200-2).

(83) "Pressure Grouting" means a process by which grout is confined within the drillhole or casing by the use of retaining plugs or packers and by which sufficient pressure is applied to drive the grout slurry into the annular space or zone to be grouted.

(84) "Professional" means any person licensed or registered by the State of Oregon to construct monitoring wells, water supply wells, or practice geology or civil engineering.

(85) "Public-at-Large" means a person not actively engaged in the well industry.

(86) "Public Water System" means a system for the provision to the public of piped water for human consumption, if such a system has more than three service connections or supplies water to a public or commercial establishment which operates a total of at least 60 days per year, and which is used by ten or more individuals per day or is a facility licensed by the Oregon Health Division.

(87) "Public Well" means a water supply well, whether publicly or privately owned, other than a municipal well, where water is provided for or is available through the single user for public consumption. This includes, but is not limited to, a school, a farm labor camp, an industrial establishment, a recreational facility, a restaurant, a motel, or a group care home.

(88) "Pumping Level" means the level of the water surface in a well while it is being pumped or bailed.

(89) "Pump Test" means the procedure involving pumping water for a specified period of time to determine the yield characteristics of an aquifer.

(90) "Refusal to Renew" means a provision in an order, or as allowed by ORS 537.747, that prohibits renewal of a well constructor's license, for a specified term not to exceed one year from the expiration date of the current license.

(91) "Remediation Well" means a well used for extracting contaminates and/or contaminated ground water from an aquifer. This term is synonymous with "extraction well" and "recovery well."

(92) "Respondent" means the person against whom an enforcement action is taken.

(93) "Responsible Party" means the person or agency that is in charge of construction or maintenance and is either in violation as specified in a notice of violation or who may benefit from that violation.

(94) "Rough Drilling Log" means a record kept on the well site of the information needed to complete the well report for the well being constructed.

(100) "Slope Stability Geotechnical Hole" means a geotechnical hole excavated, drilled or bored for studying and/or monitoring movement of landslide features, including water levels, or other mass-wasting features to detect zones of movement and establish whether movement is constant, accelerating, or responding to remedial measures. Hole(s) excavated, drilled or bored for the purpose of slope remediation or stabilization shall be considered a slope stability geotechnical hole. Slope stability geotechnical holes are not monitoring wells, piezometers, or water supply wells.

(101) "Sponsor" means an institution, professional organization, individual, or business that offers continuing education courses to licensees. This term is synonymous with provider.

(102) "Static Water Level" means the stabilized level or elevation of water surface in a well not being pumped.

(103) "Stratum" means a bed or layer of a formation that consists throughout of approximately the same type of consolidated or unconsolidated material.

(104) "Sump" means a hole dug to a depth of ten feet or less with a diameter greater than ten feet in which ground water is sought or encountered.

(105) "Suspension" means the temporary removal of the privilege to construct wells under an existing license for a period of time not to exceed one year.

(106) "System Interlock" means an interlocking mechanism used to link irrigation pumps and chemical injection units, other pumps, or supply tanks so designed that in the event of irrigation pump malfunction or failure, shutdown of the chemical injection units will occur. (Back-siphon prevention)

(108) "Underground Injection" means the emplacement or discharge of fluids to the subsurface.

(109) "Underground Injection System" means a well, improved sump, sewage drain hole, subsurface fluid distribution system, or other system or ground water point source used for the emplacement or discharge of fluids.

(110) "Upper Oversize Drillhole" means that part of the well bore extending from land surface to the bottom of the surface seal interval.

(111) "Violation" means an infraction of any statute, rule, standard, order, license, compliance schedule, or any part thereof and includes both acts and omissions.

(112) "Water Supply Well" means a well, other than a monitoring well, that is used to beneficially withdraw or beneficially inject ground or surface water. Water supply wells include, but are not limited to, community, dewatering, domestic, irrigation, industrial, municipal, and aquifer storage and recovery wells.

(113) "Water Supply Well Constructor" means any person who has a current water well constructor's license with a water supply well endorsement issued in accordance with ORS 537.747(3).

(114) "Water Supply Well Constructor's License" means a Water Well Constructor's License with a water supply well endorsement issued in accordance with ORS 537.747(3).

(115) "Water Supply Well Drilling Machine" means any power-driven driving, jetting, percussion, rotary, boring, digging, augering machine, or other equipment used in the construction or alteration of water supply wells.

(116) "Water Table" means the upper surface of an unconfined water body, the surface of which is at atmospheric pressure and fluctuates seasonally. The water table is defined by the levels at which water stands in wells that penetrate the water body (see Figure 200-2).

(117) "Water Well Constructor's License" means a license to construct, alter, deepen, abandon or convert wells issued in accordance with ORS 537.747(3). Endorsements are issued to the license and are specific to the type of well a constructor is qualified to construct, alter, deepen, abandon or convert

(118) "Well" means any artificial opening or artificially altered natural opening, however made, by which ground water is sought or through which ground water flows under natural pressure, or is artificially withdrawn or injected. This definition shall not include a natural spring, or wells drilled for the purpose of exploration or production of oil or gas. Prospecting or exploration for geothermal resources as defined in ORS 522.005 or production of geothermal resources derived from a depth greater than 2,000 feet as defined in ORS 522.055 is regulated by the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries.

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